2010 Chevrolet Equinox: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine · CO

This 2010 Chevy Equinox has the 2.4 liter motor that is recalled in similar vehicles by Chevrolet due to the piston rings having “blow by”. We have had to carry a quart of oil because of the constant consumption of oil, which led to the catalytic converter getting clogged. Most recently while traveling to Denver cylinder 3 lost compression and put the vehicle into “limp mode” on [XXX] (XXX) with traffic traveling at 75MPH and our car doing 20 MPH trying to exit. I spoke to Chevy customer service several years ago and was told “Yes we know the issue however your VIN isn’t part of our recall, we’ve satisfied the NHTSB call for action”. In my research loss of compression due to “blow by” can be direct correlation to engine failure. Oil was checked as I always do before any road trip, no engine lights or warning signs were present, we were 210 miles from home when this happened, and had to rent a car to continue our trip to Denver and return home to retrieve a truck and trailer to pick up our broken down vehicle located in Silverthorne. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 3, 2022 · Engine · PA

Vehicle burns oil at a high rate due to an engine piston ring problem. If not checked on a weekly basis you will get low oil pressure throwing the car into limp mode decreasing engine power immediately. I know people that had this problem addressed by GM free of charge as a recall. I want to know if my vehicle qualifies for this recall.Currently this vehicle requires 1 quart of oil weekly in order to keep oil level full. If I am driving the vehicle and this would happen again it might not cause an accident but currently my wife and daughter use the car and they might not be able to handle the situation if it would occur. Thank you

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Transmission · 141,103 miles · SC

Vehicle doesn't shift gears properly. Frequent hesitation and surging happens while driving.

Filed Apr 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

The vehicle would not go into gear, then it would go into forward and not reverse took it to chevy and was told we need a new transmission

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · MN

Was driving down a highway and had to pull over for a police officer to pass by, went to accelerate and was stuck in 2nd gear. Later found that only 1st and 2nd gear worked and had no reverse. Was told that I would need a complete rebuild of the transmission.

Filed Oct 19, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 154,000 miles · WI

My car just suddenly lost speed, wouldn't shift and was stuck at a stop, was told the transmission would need replacing because the solenoids were stuck. He also said this usually happens in most gm engines.

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 140,000 miles · AL

While driving, vehicle failed to accelerate and would not shift into next gear, then seemed to jump into higher gear. This caused me to almost be hit by motor vehicle behind me. Second time, I was turning into busy intersection and car completely stalled, turned off key and restarted car and it would not drive over 20 miles an hour so pulled into parking lot and wheel was very hard to control. Car would not go into reverse. Was left stranded on side of road and had vehicle towed to chevy. Has oil consumption issues but recently purchased car and passed date for recalls and warranty repair. Gm needs to offer all previous expired to people such as myself who purchase used vehicles that were never corrected during recall times.also my VIN was not listed in recall but has the exact issues. This was confirmed by gm.

Filed Sep 23, 2018 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · TN

The vehicle has had hard shifting ever since I got it and the other day in town it was not shifting right at all. Then all of a sudden I'm stuck in second gear. No reverse, couldn't manually shift I'm just stuck in second. I could put the car in park so I stop at a grocery store to check my transmission fluid and there was no dipstick what the heck.so I put my flashers on and drive in second gear to my wifes grandmothers and park it. When I get home I research and I've come up with a wave plate causing my problem.

Filed Jun 22, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 65,000 miles · NJ

While driving, the car would not accelerate, pulled onto a street and put the car into park. Attempted again and the car slowly drove. Another incident, my son was driving and he said it just "wouldn't drive", luckily he was near a relatives house and pulled into the drive. He attempted to move the car and put it into reverse and it would not go into reverse. The car is now at a chevy dealer. Now this may not be deemed a "safety issue", but what is the issue, the car only has 65,000 and we are being told by chevy that the car needs a new transmission. At what point can a non-safety issue be deemed a recall. Apparently there is a bulletin regarding the chevy equinox 2010, many many complaints, and chevy will not repair them. What can be done?

Filed Oct 3, 2017 · Transmission · NY

I have a 2010 chevrolet equinox and on july 21st, 2017 it would not go into reverse. After doing some research online I've seen that many others have had the same problem that I have been experiencing. No 3rd gear/no reverse. It says it has a wave plate that often breaks and shoots shattered pieces into the transmission, all without any warning or suspicion that anything could be wrong. I called the finance company which then l then LED me to gm customer service telling me there were no recalls or information about anything. It is now october 3rd, 2017 and my car has been sitting in the same parking space (cannot reverse to get out of parking spot) with a full tank of gas. I urge anyone who experiences any problem to report it. I need help and I need it asap!!!

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 115,656 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power, the vehicle would not shift into gear while being operated, and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission, ABS sensor, and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 115,656.

Filed Apr 13, 2017 · 52,977 miles · NY

2010 chevy equinox (53k miles). Vehicle was being driven on a city street and while in drive failed to accelerate. Vehicle began to jerk while in motion and would not shift in reverse. The engine ran but the could would not move. All of the diagnostic codes reflected the transmission.